The Phoenix Suns were formed in 1968 as part of the NBA expansion and have since grown to be an iconic NBA franchise. Players like Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Charles Barkley, and Kevin Durant have all boasted their jerseys.
Important Milestones in Phoenix Suns History
The Early Days
The legendary Phoenix Suns teams of the late 1960s were led by iconic figures like Dick Van Arsdale and Connie Hawkins. Despite being a newly added expansion team, the Suns were able to rise quickly led by these NBA legends. In fact, they made their first playoff run in only their second season in the NBA.
The Sunderella Suns
In the 1975-76 NBA season, the Phoenix Suns made one of the most impressive runs we have seen in NBA history. The team, coached by John MacLeod, made the improbable run to the NBA Finals. This run coined the 1975-76 Suns’ team the “Sunderella” Suns: an homage to the Cinderella story of an underdog team upsetting top ranked teams and making it to the finals. Despite losing to the Boston Celtics in a hard-fought series, the Suns established themselves as a premier team in the NBA.
Charles Barkley Era
The Phoenix Suns were a mid-tier team after the Sunderella run of 1975-76. However, they had a resurgence led by the infamous Charles Barkley. His arrival injected the franchise with energy, grit, and athleticism which led the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 1993. Though they fell short to one of the best teams in NBA history, the Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls, Barkley and the Phoenix Suns showed the rest of the league they were no longer to be trifled with.
Steve Nash and the “Seven Seconds or Less” Offense
In the mid-2000s, the Phoenix Suns once again had a resurgence with the arrival of legendary Steve Nash and Coach Mike D’Antoni’s “Seven Seconds or Less” offense. Nash’s playmaking ability, coupled with the Suns’ fast style of play captivated fans and brought them to multiple playoffs. In later years, they paired Nash up with Amare Stoudemire for some prime-time basketball for Arizona fans.
Recent Years
The Suns have been injected, once again, with all-star caliber players such as Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. Under Coach Monty Williams, the team has re-emerged as a top contender in the NBA, which culminated in a Finals run in the 2020-2021 season. Although the Phoenix Suns did not come out victorious, they have great potential to be back in contention.
FAQ
Where can I bet on the Phoenix Suns?
While we advise all sports fans to check out reviews of the top sportsbooks before signing up, there are widely used apps such as FanDuel, BetMGM, DraftKings, Bet365, or Fanatics.
When was the Phoenix Suns founded?
The Phoenix Suns were founded in 1968.
Who owns the Phoenix Suns?
The Phoenix Suns are owned by American billionaire Mathew Randall Ishbia. He is CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage, and also owns the majority of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.
Why are they called the Suns?
After a contest for the naming rights, a woman named Selinda King’s “Suns” entry was the winner.
Have the Suns ever won an NBA championship?
Despite some excellent years especially in the Barkley and Nash teams, they have never won an NBA Championship.
